The 9Th Class Swordmaster: Blade Of Truth [EN]: Chapter 69

60. Labyrinth Conquest (1)

The labyrinth possessed a distinct aroma right from its entrance.

The heavy, murky scent, reminiscent of ink, made it difficult for intruders to breathe.

“Hoo…”

Mikhail was the first to react.

Although a member of the mercenary group, he was the weakest compared to Aidan and Caryl, who had been trained in the shadows since childhood.

“I guess I only focused on mana training in Azor. I didn’t expect my stamina to be this low. Haha…”

Realizing this, Mikhail attempted to lighten the heavy atmosphere with an awkward laugh.

“Even with good stamina, labyrinths are tough. It’s natural. But even if it’s hard, it’s better not to waste mana.”

“Understood.”

“You never know what kind of monster might pop out inside the labyrinth.”

Mikhail nodded at Caryl’s words and leaned on his staff as he walked.

[How strange. To sense dark power inside a cave. It’s a power rarely seen even in the Magic Era. Is it still lingering?]

Alrn Zavius muttered, scanning his surroundings.

‘Is this your first time seeing it? I guess there weren’t any labyrinths when you were alive.’

[That’s right. There were dungeons where monsters lived, but there weren’t any labyrinths with dark power settled like this.]

‘What is dark power?’

[It’s a power with slightly different properties than mana. Does the 교단 [religious order] still worship Yula?]

‘Yes.’

[You could say it’s a power that opposes them. It has the complete opposite properties of divine power. But dark power is something you only see in the Demon Realm… How strange.]

Caryl frowned slightly at Alrn Zavius’s words and asked.

‘Then could demons also be related to corruption?’

[I don’t think so. Corruption is literally like debris created from rifts in dimensions other than this world. But demons are a race recognized by God.]

‘Hmm…’

Caryl nodded at his words.

‘At first, humanity couldn’t figure out the source of corruption, so they thought it was under the control of demons. If they’re not related, that’s a relief.’

[But you have to be careful because you never know how cunning demons can be. It’s also strange that there are labyrinths that didn’t exist in the Magic Era. This place might be more related to demons than corruption.]

‘I see.’

If it weren’t for Alrn Zavius, who lived in the Magic Era when the Demon Realm and the human world were connected, he might not have known about dark power.

[In the past, besides the human world, there was the demons’ Demon Realm, the Nephilim’s Celestial Realm, and even the Demon Realm’s lowest level, the Devil Realm.]

However, the current continent had all realms closed except for the human world.

The only connected Spirit Realm was so weak that only a very small number of spiritists could summon intermediate spirits.

‘It means we need to investigate further.’

[That’s right. This is a change I don’t even know about, so let’s be more careful.]

Caryl nodded at Alrn’s words.

“Wow, Caryl, are those attribute stones all over here?”

It was Mikhail who interrupted their conversation. There was a particularly bright place inside the labyrinth.

On the wall that Mikhail pointed to, there were minerals emitting various colors of light.

“That’s a mineral called 삼방석영 [sambangseokyeong – likely a type of quartz]. It’s not an attribute stone. It’s unique because it’s a mineral that grows on the walls of the labyrinth like a plant.”

Caryl said with a slight smile.

“If those were all attribute stones, the South would probably be more developed than the North.”

“I guess…”

Aidan stared at the glowing minerals with wide eyes.

“It’s amazing. Is there any use for them? It’s a waste to just leave them like this. Even if they were processed and made into jewelry for nobles, they would sell well.”

Unlike Mikhail, Caryl answered with a practical thought.

“You could make them into jewelry, but… what’s popular with the noble ladies of the Imperial Palace right now are gold ornaments or cut diamonds. I don’t know.”

“Hmm…”

“Besides, quartz is weak, so it’s difficult to work with. It would be difficult unless it’s a dwarf or a gnome.”

“Then it would be difficult. Dwarves are proud, and the Gnome Kingdom has been destroyed, so it’s not easy to meet them.”

Aidan clicked his tongue as if he was disappointed.

‘Quartz will be needed later. I can’t let it be used as a luxury item for nobles for no reason.’

Caryl thought, looking at him.

‘There are monsters in 파렐 [Parell – the region] that can only be damaged by weapons made of quartz. I have to preserve it well.’

He knows the history after the Continental War.

That a prophecy will be given.

That’s why the reason for obtaining the South is not simply to ascend to the throne, but also to prepare for the prophecy while preparing for the Continental War with the Empire.

One of them is the quartz in the labyrinth.

This mineral can only be obtained in the South because it can only be obtained in a labyrinth during its 휴지기 [dormant period].

[What? The Gnome Kingdom is destroyed?]

Alrn Zavius, who was listening to the conversation between the two, asked in surprise.

[During the 500-year history of the Magic Era, there were countless wars and several interdimensional battles, but those races who scurried around underground like rats?]

‘I don’t know the reason for the destruction. It disappeared before the Empire was established. It’s just said in the known history that it was destroyed by demons.’

[Huh… Demons don’t even show their faces because they’re at the very bottom of the dimensional realm… How strange.]

Alrn muttered in a low voice.

‘Well, it’s not completely destroyed. The bloodline of the Gnome Kingdom is still alive. Besides, I know a gnome. It might be revived.’

Caryl thought, recalling Kalipsone in Tatur. He said he would go to the place Caryl had told him about as soon as he was ready.

‘If the Gnome Kingdom can be revived with him at the forefront, the supply of not only quartz but also the items needed for the prophecy can be smoothed out.’

He couldn’t pay attention to the Gnome Kingdom, but Caryl thought that Kalipsone would not betray his expectations.

Whoosh—!!

It was then.

“…!!”

Caryl, who was walking, stopped and suddenly pulled out Ice Claw and slashed horizontally through the air with all his might.

Clang-!!

Surprisingly, a sound of something hard colliding was heard from the darkness that seemed to be empty.

At the same time, something round fell at Caryl’s feet.

It rolled down the sloping floor and bumped into Mikhail’s foot.

“…!!”

Mikhail reflexively stepped back.

The severed head of the monster rolled a few more times before stopping.

A large, pupil-less eye like that of a beetle, shiny skin, and teeth that were shaped like scythes on both sides, like the jaws of an ant.

It was a bizarre sight he had never seen before.

“It’s not over yet.”

At Caryl’s words, the two hurriedly looked ahead and raised their weapons.

[Krrk…]

The relaxed atmosphere disappeared without a trace at the growling sound coming from the darkness.

“Has it appeared?”

Aidan took out a sharp dagger from his chest.

“…”

Could it be that he can’t speak because of tension?

For some reason, Caryl was looking at the monster’s head on the floor without sheathing his sword.

‘What is this guy?’

In his previous life, Caryl had also attacked the 쌍두수리 [Ssangdu Suri – Two-Headed Eagle]’s nest to obtain quartz.

Compared to the members at that time, it was an infinitely shabby composition, but instead, he knew the map of this place, the monster’s respawn location, and even the 쌍두수리’s weaknesses, so he thought he had a good chance of winning.

Because he perfectly understood the labyrinth, Caryl naturally knew the types of monsters that were generated here.

‘Why is it in a place like this?’

But it’s the first time.

Not only in the labyrinth but even in 파렐.

Caryl looked ahead with a tense face at the appearance of a monster he had never seen before.

[That guy is a creature from the Demon Realm.]

At that moment.

Alrn Zavius spoke.

‘Demon Realm? Is it a guy you know?’

Alrn Zavius nodded at Caryl’s question.

[Agma.]

As a matter of course, Caryl waited for his explanation at the name he heard for the first time.

At best, it was about the troll, the most powerful monster here, except for the 쌍두수리.

But even Caryl was bewildered by the appearance of an unexpected Demon Realm creature.

[I’ve hunted it a few times. In the Magic Era, all the gates of each dimension were open, and occasionally demons or celestial beings crossed over into the human world.]

Thud-

A solid footstep was heard.

[Krrk… Krrrk…]

The appearance of standing on two feet and wearing solid armor looked like a knight, but if you look closely, there was nothing in the place that looked like a head.

[Look closely. It’s not a pseudo-human. It’s just one of the simple beetles. It’s a bug-like guy who lives under the Demon Realm.]

At Alrn Zavius’s explanation, Caryl imagined a demon-like creature walking around like a bug.

“…”

Caryl shook his head at the unpleasant fantasy. In that short time, as if it had been regenerated, the head of the guy, even though it had been cut off a little while ago, had completely grown back.

No,

That’s not the head.

Clank-

The weapon he was holding was also unusual.

He was holding a long, unicorn-shaped weapon like a knight’s spear and a large kite shield in his opposite arm.

The only difference was that all the weapons and armor were brownish and connected to both arms as one.

[Krrr…]

The half-human, half-monster bared its teeth and cried out in a sharp voice as if glaring at Caryl’s party.

“I can definitely tell it’s not human when I see that.”

Caryl said, dumbfounded, watching the Agma’s chest open and red teeth popping out from inside.

“I don’t know why, but now that we’ve found it, we can’t just leave it alone. I also need the 쌍두수리’s neck inside that.”

He gave a light wink.

Without having to explain, Mikhail knew what it meant, so he moved to the rear, and Aidan protected the lieutenant and formed a formation.

‘How strong is it compared to the monsters on the continent?’

[Well, maybe an ogre is about the same strength as that guy? Besides, that shiny carapace. It has the ability to reduce magic.]

Caryl frowned at Alrn Zavius’s explanation.

That was it.

The Agma, who had walked out of the cave, didn’t wait any longer.

Kwaaang—!!

Kwagang–!!

The inside of the labyrinth echoed with a sharp roar.

Caryl’s body staggered as if bounced back.

“Kuk?!”

White steam soared from the blade of the Ice Claw that blocked the guy’s spear.

[Krrr…]

When he exhaled, he felt a pungent heat as if he had sulfur in his face inside the black shell.

“W-what is that?!”

The two were also surprised by the monster they had never seen before.

[Isn’t it good?]

But unlike them, who were nervous, Alrn Zavius said in a languid voice.

[It takes time to 뚫는 혈맥 [pierce the bloodline/meridian points]. Currently, it’s difficult to increase your mana at once, so you still have to focus on the sword to get stronger.]

Then he slowly pointed to the monster in front of him and said.

[Didn’t you say it yourself? That 마도 검술 [Mado Swordsmanship – Magic Swordsmanship] needs 실전 [actual combat]. Isn’t that guy a very good opponent?]

[Krrrk…!!]

As if,

As if he had heard Alrn Zavius’s words, he growled.

“That’s right.”

Caryl put strength into the hand holding the sword.

Before he knew it, the tension on his face had disappeared without a trace.

Looking at him, Alrn laughed lowly as if he knew it would be like that.